WP Engine provides SSH gateway access on all plans. SSH (Secure Shell) gives you command-line access to your WordPress environment, letting you run WP-CLI commands, manage files, and perform operations that would be impractical through a browser-based interface. It is not the same as full root server access — WP Engine manages the underlying server — but it is sufficient for most developer and maintenance workflows.
What WP Engine SSH Access Actually Gives You
WP Engine’s SSH access connects you to a gateway server that provides access to your specific environment’s file system and WP-CLI. From an SSH session you can:
- Run WP-CLI commands (install plugins, manage users, run database queries, search-replace URLs)
- Navigate the file system and manage WordPress files directly
- Run Composer and npm for theme or plugin dependency management
- Execute PHP scripts
- Run Git operations (pull, push, clone) for version-controlled deployments
What you cannot do: access other customers’ environments, modify server configuration files, install server-level software, or run commands requiring root privileges. This is expected behaviour on a managed platform — WP Engine manages the server layer.
How to Set Up SSH Access on WP Engine
Step 1: Generate an SSH key pair. On Mac or Linux, open Terminal and run ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your@email.com". On Windows, use Git Bash or PowerShell with the same command. Accept the default file location. You now have a private key (keep this on your machine only) and a public key (the .pub file you will give to WP Engine).
Step 2: Add your public key to WP Engine. Log in to the WP Engine dashboard. Go to your profile (top right) and select SSH Keys. Click Add SSH Key, paste the contents of your public key file (the .pub file), give it a name, and save.
Step 3: Find your SSH gateway details. In the WP Engine dashboard, navigate to your specific site environment and click the SSH Gateway section. WP Engine provides the hostname and port specific to your environment.
Step 4: Connect. In your terminal, run: ssh -p [PORT] [ENVIRONMENT_NAME]@[GATEWAY_HOST]. The exact command is shown in the WP Engine dashboard for your environment. On first connection, accept the host fingerprint when prompted.
Practical WP-CLI Commands Through SSH
WP-CLI is the primary reason most developers use SSH on WP Engine. Here are the most useful commands for day-to-day WordPress management:
| Command | What it does |
wp plugin update --all |
Updates all plugins at once |
wp search-replace 'oldurl.com' 'newurl.com' |
Replaces URLs in database (essential for migrations) |
wp cache flush |
Clears object cache |
wp user create username email@example.com --role=administrator |
Creates a new admin user |
wp db export backup.sql |
Exports the database to a file |
wp core update |
Updates WordPress core |
SSH vs SFTP on WP Engine: Which to Use
SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol) is better for file transfers: uploading themes, downloading backups, or making quick file edits. It works with visual clients like FileZilla or Transmit and requires no command-line knowledge.
SSH is better for operations: running WP-CLI commands, executing scripts, batch operations, and Git-based deployments. Developers working on WP Engine regularly use both: SFTP for file management and SSH for operations.
Both use the same SSH key you set up in the WP Engine dashboard. Once your key is added, both SFTP and SSH connections use it for authentication. For SFTP details, see What Is SFTP and How Do You Use It on WP Engine?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SSH access available on all WP Engine plans?
Yes. SSH gateway access is available on Startup, Professional, Growth, and Scale plans. There is no minimum plan tier required for SSH access on WP Engine.
Can I use WP-CLI on WP Engine?
Yes. WP-CLI is fully supported through the SSH gateway on all WP Engine plans. The WP-CLI version available is kept current. You can run all standard WP-CLI commands within the permissions of your environment.
Why is my SSH connection to WP Engine timing out?
Common causes: your public SSH key has not been saved correctly in the WP Engine dashboard, you are using the wrong port (WP Engine uses a non-standard port shown in your dashboard, not port 22), or your network or firewall is blocking the outgoing connection. Double-check the exact connection command shown in your WP Engine environment settings.
Can I run Git deployments through WP Engine SSH?
Yes. WP Engine supports Git push-to-deploy workflows through the SSH gateway. You can also use WP Engine’s native Git integration from the dashboard, which lets you connect a repository and deploy branches directly without using the command line.
